The state DEP says a fuel transport company has to investigate and remedy soil contamination in Upper Milford.

The owner of a fuel tank truck that spewed diesel fuel onto Buckeye Road in Upper Milford Township during a fatal vehicle crash last month violated the state's Clean Streams Law, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The state Department of Environmental Protection issued the violation notice, which requires Pilot Flying J of Tennessee to investigate for possible soil contamination in that area and remove dirt that was tainted by soil.

The fuel spill forced authorities to close Buckeye Road for more than a week while an environmental cleanup crew removed some of the tainted soil.

Colleen Connolly, a DEP spokeswoman, said groundwater in that area was affected by the fuel spill, but that authorities are not yet sure of the extent of the contamination.

She said homeowners wells in that area were tested and showed no signs of contamination from the fuel.

Connolly said the company has removed much of the tainted soil and repaved a portion of Buckeye Road that had been ripped up during the cleanup. She said there still is a "hot spot" on the side of the road that has not yet been excavated.

"They're obtaining soil samples and will send us results [of testing done on the soil] when they get them," Connolly said.

She said the DEP has not ruled out the possibility of imposing fines on the company.

Pilot brought in an environmental cleanup company, which has been removing soil since the crash.

State police at Fogelsville said James F. Heller, 61, of Macungie was driving west on Buckeye Road when his vehicle hit the tanker truck as it was turning east onto Buckeye Road from Tank Farm Road, which leads to a fuel storage area.

Heller was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim said.